When You Give a Man Power
Chapter 31

Bane was happy. No one else could tell simply because he doesn’t show his emotions beyond the usual aggression or dismissive attitude of those he doesn’t think too highly of. Some of the ones serving under Jango weren't half bad.

The drop ship lowered down into orbit of the planet near the inner rim where one of the executive board members of the Trade Federation was located. 

Not wanting this chance to pass them by after one of the Majordomos of the Hutt crime lords had been unceremoniously dealt with by his master after Jango and Bane both made it known that he was up to something.

Come to find out he was taking bribes from the Trade Federation. Bane could only shake his head at the wanton greed on display and how foolish it was. All that money and you died over the dumbest decision you could have made.

The ship took off with what could only be described as a war zone happening around them. The Trade Federation droids and their tanks were shooting at and getting shot in return by the Hutts' tanks and artillery.

Before the Trade Federation had managed to push them back with their tanks and absurd numbers of droids. People can say what they want about the B1’s being dumb and incredibly cheap, but one thing they make up for all of that was the vast numbers they could be deployed in.

Now even if with the Republic siding with the Trade Federation and helping them the tide has turned. The Hutts had grown increasingly annoyed with the Federation swarming their businesses and operations, their men stationed there not properly equipped to handle tanks, and the forces they were bringing to bear on them. 

It’s one of the ways the Trade Federation managed to fend off criminals or push around those too poor to fight back. A couple of tanks would be incredibly effective. 

The issue they were running into now was that the Hutts had begun using the wealth they have amassed for centuries if not thousands of years with their time as crime lords to start deploying tanks and proper vehicles for warfare against them.

The AAT’s were versatile and had a devastating heavy laser cannon for the tank's main gun but when pitted against many more tanks with far better crews that weren't a bunch of stupid droids they now no longer had much of an advantage.

Case in point three of the Hutt tanks focus fire with a barrage of missiles impacting and destroying a lone AAT and many of the droids surrounding it. Fire and smoke filled the battlefield as both sides traded blaster fire. 

Bane and the crew on the drop ship quickly closed in on their target. What was once a luxurious manor is now filled with fire and holes from the conflict on its front lawn.

The Hutt forces combated the army of battle droids with numerous droids dismantled and scrapped laying across the field. Several pirates, bounty hunters, and all types of criminals were dead or screaming amidst the flames and smoke. 

Bane would have preferred going in quietly but the issue with that is the Hutts wanted to show the Republic and Trade Federation they were not safe no matter where they are.

The other problem was sneaking past an army of droids without getting caught before getting fully inside. 

Bane could do it. It would be difficult but he knew he could do it. But a group of lesser bounty hunters? Now that made it impossible. He would take what freedom he was granted by the Hutts since they had given him the chance to do this job without Jango being with him.

A few blaster and heavy blaster cannons fire in their direction but all miss as the ship gets closer zooming across the land. 

Bane could only smirk at the loss of money for the rich slime when several hundred acres of grass and trees were blown to splinters. Holes littered all across the lawn with the mansion having several newly renovated holes with smoke and fire spilling out with the few turbo laser turrets that remained operational shooting at them or the forces in the distance.

At least the Board Member was smart enough to have an army to try and protect him. Of course, it wasn’t enough since the Hutts have had enough.

“Bane we are almost at the drop point. Not bad for someone as amazing as yours truly.” The pilot said to him, drawing Bane out of his thoughts.

Their pilot was some hotshot smuggler who believed he was the greatest pilot in the galaxy. Bane had news for him. He had met the greatest pilot in the galaxy and he wasn’t him.

“Try making a rescue on your lonesome to pick up some people from a Trade Federation Lucrehulk and get them off the ship and evade all of their droid fighters then get to hyperspace in one piece. Then we will talk about you being so good.” Bane said to him coming up to the cockpit of the drop ship.

The man looked at bane out of the corner of his eye, “You serious?”

“I thought you were the best? Having doubts?” Bane was getting back at the arrogant man since he and the others had to deal with him the entire trip over to this planet. 

Bane would let the arrogance slide if he was as good as he made himself out to be. There was one issue with that. He wasn’t.

“Look, Bane. There are good pilots like myself but what you are saying is just impossible. I don’t care how good a pilot someone thinks they are but doing that is just plain suicide. No way they could make it to the ship, pick up whoever they needed to, and then fly back out without getting blasted to pieces. So no, nice try but that doesn’t make me a bad pilot because you ask the impossible.”

Bane could only smile while suppressing a snort. The smuggler seemingly sensing Banes' amusement grumbled and finally shut up. 

The sensor suite picks something up and Bane and the smuggler both look down at it before Bane looked up and growled. Another ship is coming down near the manor as many droids on the ground surround a richly dressed Neimoidian in robes who is leaving the manor.
 
“Our target is trying to get away. Shoot down that ship!”

“Don’t need to tell me twice!” The smuggler said. To Bane’s growing pleasure he opened fire on the rescue ship as its shields absorbed most of the blaster fire. 

“It’s not enough the shields will hold long enough for it to pick him up.” The smuggler says not having not once stopped shooting at the ship which was now returning fire with the turbolaser cannons swiveling to aim at them.

“Open the doors. We are going to have to go down and get him. Keep the ship focused on you and do not let it target us. If one of us dies because it stopped focusing on you, you won’t like what I will do to you next. Got it?” Bane ordered him, getting in his face as he looked for a moment like he was going to argue with what he was told.

“Got it.” He was not pleased with the threat.

“Everyone get ready, we are dropping in. Have the pulse grenades ready to throw down on the droids below.” His orders were quickly followed with several of them pulling out the grenades that had grown so popular since Corvo started selling them in bulk to anyone interested.

Oh, what Bane would have given to have him here instead of the joke of a smuggler that they were given as their pilot to bring them here. Not that Bane would ever say this to Corvo’s face. 

Trying to ignore the anger that builds in him from thinking about Corvo and what he did in the big meeting with the Hutts when he was given his mission.

The doors open with a hiss with the ship hovering above moving over their target who stared in shock, mouth hanging open while the pilot was still shooting at the enemy ship which now was shooting back but most of the shots missed. A few shots hit their mark but the shield protected them.

The grenades were dropped as the Neimoidian ran away from their ship heading back to his manor. The battle droids raised their rifles opening fire but most halted with their bodies twitching. A whir came from the grenades, electricity washed over them before it stopped and smoke rose from their bodies before most fell to the ground.

Bane quickly jumped off the ramp using his jet boots and the others use jet packs or repel down with cords shooting any remaining droids. A few have gone with the Executive and others stayed behind shooting at them. Drawing his modified blaster pistol followed by a series of quick burst fire that down each droid with ease. 

“Come on. We can’t let him get away.” He ordered the group running forward to the wall that was a secret door and checking his corners seeing no droids. The path before them was a long hallway with branching paths along it making it a maze to navigate. 

The others caught up with him as they chased after the Neimoidian who thankfully was running straight ahead huffing as he didn’t seem to be in the greatest shape. He points behind when he sees them running for him.

“Stop them! Don’t let them near me!” 

At his demand, a familiar sound like something rolling along the ground comes from two side halls and they halt weapons ready as two destroyer droids rolled out. The Neimodian ran further into the hall opening a doorway before it shut behind him.

As they start to unfold Bane with his honed reflexes fired his blaster pistol at one halfway assembled with each shot making it stumble before it was dismantled toppled to the side. 

The others were slower and only managed to damage one of the legs and arm holding its blasters before the shield was up.

“Of course, none of you could kill it in time,” Bane said in an annoyed tone as several B1s started filing in behind the Droideka.

“Give us a break, Bane.” A female Zabrak says behind them not pleased at Bane calling them out on not being as good as him.

“No. You just had to shoot the thing and kill it before it deployed its shields. This should have been drilled into your heads by this point with all the briefings we have gone over on the droids we would be going up against.”

Before anyone can say anything further Bane does some quick calculations in his head remembering how many times they had shot the shield before taking a few pulse grenades and tossing them at the Droideka taking its shield and the B1s around it before they all gun the sole droid down as it crumbles to the floor in a sparking heap.

Not a word was spoken as they continued forward heading for the closed secured door moving to the sides of it as a few of the others stood further back to shoot whatever was on the other side of the door while the one with splicing experience got to work getting the room open. Bane stayed on the side of the door pistol ready.

“Almost got it…” The Rhodian was taking far too long in Bane's opinion.

“Done!” He said happily that he managed to get it unlocked. Helped that they were dealing with a Trade Federation Executive. They have become rather well known for being rather cheap as they try to cut corners however they can. 

The Rhodian moved further back, posting up with the others when Bane opened the door, and as soon as it opened the others facing the door immediately opened fire before several of them were killed bodies falling over with burned out chunks missing from their bodies. Each death was heralded by the sound of a heavy blaster going off before they moved further back. 

Heavy were heard as Bane saw a hulking armored form lean down and step through the doorway. The others across from Bane stare with wide eyes while Bane has to fight not to roll his eyes at their hesitation.

Taking out his other blaster pistol and charging up his shot the sound of the pistol charging makes the heavily armored droid turn to look at him before he fired. The kick of the pistol made him back up a step from the power of the recoil.

The blue ion impacted the things head and to Bane's joy, the droid sparked cirvos audible to everyone as it struggled to move for a moment before its massive form slumpep forward crashing to the floor in a heap. The others who were still alive were still shooting as another round of heavy blasters was upon them. The others on the other side of the doorway get closer again as they take out their pulse grenades.

As the heavy steps of what Bane assumes is another one of these droids got closer they tossed the grenades into the room. The hum and discharge of electricity made the steps stop before the floor shook for a moment when a loud crash of metal against duracrete.

Checking the room and seeing the cowering Neimoidian in a corner huddled in on himself. Bane goes right for him as a glimmer of hope entered the coward's eyes.

“P-please I can pay you! Anything you want.” The Neimodian tried to bribe or reason with Cad Bane who currently had his blaster pistol aimed at his head.

“Come now we are related-”

The blaster shot silenced the coward who yelped in shock, shaking as Bane was not pleased with the reminder he is in some way related to this scum. 

“Some advice. Don’t ever bring up that I am somehow related to your kind. Now get up and get moving.” Bane orders the coward after forcing him to his feet and roughly shoves him from behind as he hurried forward, always glancing back at the blaster.

They moved past all the wrecked battle droids. Things were annoying but those grenades Corvo had been manufacturing and selling to anyone interested had proven useful. It helped that the Trade Federation had proven rather cheap on their droids, besides the destroyers. Even those armored droids based on Corvo’s suit didn’t have their internals protected from ion shots or the grenades.

Typical Trade Federation. The armored droids were still a threat if you didn’t have anything to target that weakness which would make dealing with them much more difficult. Heavy blasters would take some time but could bring one down or heavy ordnance meant for heavier targets like ships or tanks.

From what Bane had managed to glean from Corvo the droids were nowhere near as powerful as the suit he had used. Again, the Trade Federation cutting corners where they could. Not that Bane is going to complain since it would make his job easier.

Back to his original thoughts, several heavy blasters and explosives of various kinds can help make them more manageable. Bane, to his annoyance, didn't get a Jedi to fight this time. 

Watching the various criminals under the employ of the Hutts who have all but destroyed the droids outside check each room making sure there were no survivors and looting whatever they could find that had some value to it.

Stepping out of the manor, the target stumbled forward fearful of all the criminals surrounding him. To think they were stupid enough to try and take over the Hutt's spice trade and other businesses. 

From the looks of things, the Republic is unaware of what the Trade Federation is up to. Shaking his head at that, not surprised in the slightest. When it comes to anything happening in the outer rim it’s the Hutts and various criminal organizations that are in the know and tend to police anyone operating in their territory.

Whether that is through their own men which was not often or through hired muscle such as bounty hunters like himself. It’s how the outer rim remained somewhat stable. As much as the mid and especially inner rim talked badly about those in Bane's profession they are necessary for policing and keeping the peace in the outer rim. 

Unlike other bounty hunters who don’t have as good of a reputation, Bane wouldn’t do a job unless they are willing to match his price for business. With his boost in reputation, he had managed to get higher payments for jobs than before he had learned under Jango. Felt like a lifetime ago when he had swallowed his pride and asked Jango to teach him.

If anyone could help Bane get as good as he dreamed of then it would be Jango. The two had a rivalry before and during his time learning under him. Bane always had the drive inside of him to prove to everyone he was the best at what he did. But it always bothered him that Jango would pull ahead of him.

Then there is Corvo… Bane didn’t dislike Jango or Corvo. Rather the opposite. He respected them both a great deal. Jango for always getting the job done and not taking bribes from bounty targets that other bounty hunters wouldn’t have hesitated to take and his ability to fight and beat Jedi.

He had grown to respect Corvo almost on the same level as Jango. His coming back for them when he could have left them to die had garnered a lot of respect for the bounty hunter. After doing some digging into his short history since he had just started doing bounty hunting he rose rather fast by hunting down decent-sized gangs that even Bane in his early years hunting down those who owed a lot of credits on his homeworld would have thought twice about going after them.

The smuggler's ship comes out of the sky and lands with its doors opening up.

“Get in.” He shoved the whimpering Neimoidian forward who hesitantly got on the ship.

Bane took a seat with the Neimoidian glancing around in fear seeing all the others enter and relaxing with there being more room since the others hadn’t made it after that first armored droid opened fire. 

Corvo was someone Bane could respect. Far more than the rest of the bounty hunters that surrounded him. Sure they could talk big about themselves or have others recount their stories exaggerating them but Bane has learned in his time as a bounty hunter was to not necessarily ignore someone’s name on the streets but to keep it second to what their actions speak for themselves.

Like several other bounty hunters who had run afoul of someone with enough credits to hire his services. Each of them had made a name for themselves but when it came right down to it they all tried to run when he came for them. If they were as good as the stories made them out to be then they could have handled him.

Corvo’s actions told Bane that he has the potential to stand right beside Jango and himself as one of the greatest bounty hunters in the galaxy. Watching the fidgeting and squirming Neimoidian made Bane frown because when he watched him do that it reminded him of when Corvo got his last assignment.

Bane's grip tightened as he remembered Corvo blanching at being told to go fight the Echani that had been a thorn in the Hutt's sides for some time. The same ones who he had fought twice. It angered Bane to see someone like Corvo hesitant or even afraid.

Corvo should have more confidence in what he has gone up against in the past. If he is afraid of them then what will he do when he faces a Jedi? The same man who willingly infiltrated what amounted to a fortress on Nar Shaddaa got his target alive and managed to fight his way back out.

A target he was heavily motivated to go after when the slime had decided to attack him in his home. Bane when he had first heard about it was in disbelief but compared to the stories of others this one was far more exaggerated than the rest he had thought to himself. Then to find out it was all true and he further proved that to Bane when he came back and managed to escape that horde of droid starfighters.

After all this time as a bounty hunter he had witnessed many things but that stunt currently remained at the top of the most ridiculous things someone had ever done. It’s why it bothered him so much knowing that as capable as Corvo is, someone he viewed as a rival, one that had proven himself to be an absolute nuisance and menace to play against in Uno would be afraid to go fight those Echani on their homeworld.

One thing that made Bane relax if only a little was that Corvo despite his trepidation still went. Hopefully he makes it back. Bane still had to repay him for that plus thirty cards he had given him.

Ignoring the prattling of the Smuggler bragging about him taking down the transport ship when it was the Hutt tanks that had helped bring it down or the Neimoidian trying to get anyone interested in helping rescue him thinking he was being subtle. This is going to be a long trip back is all Bane could think as he tries to ignore all of it.